The wait is finally over. The people of District 3, Valley North, went to the polls today to elect a new representative to the Anguilla House of Assembly. They had three choices – Mrs Shellya Rogers-Webster of the Anguilla United Front, Mr Courtney Morton of the Anguilla Progressive Movement and Dr Lanny Hobson, the Lion, an Independent. Though the campaign was short, all candidates utilised the time and media available to them to bring their message across to the voters. They erected billboards, held community meetings, campaigned door to door, appeared on radio talk shows, used social media blasts, and ended with grand motorcades and campaign rallies. Regrettably, some campaigns were not without the propaganda and personal attacks which have come to characterise so much of Caribbean politics. But we must applaud those candidates who rose above the fray and kept their campaign clean by focussing on the issues, and what they bring to the table – rather than seeking to denigrate their opponents. It is not an easy thing to do in the world of politics.
It is said that politics makes strange bedfellows and this by-election campaign was no different. We saw some interesting alliances with former members of the Anguilla Progressive Movement openly endorsing and campaigning for Dr Lanny Hobson. In fact, in the weeks and days leading up to the election, former APM party members seemingly used the opportunity to launch an attack on the party and the decisions it has made while in office. Their message was clear – while they worked hard to have the APM elected to office, they were disappointed and disillusioned, and were withdrawing their support and disassociating themselves from the party.
Many have touted this by-election as a thermometer. It will gauge the public’s temperature and give a clear indication as to how people feel about the APM government and its performance in office. At the last election in District 3, in 2020, the margin of victory was narrow. Though the district has been a stronghold of the AUF party and its predecessor, the Anguilla National Alliance (ANA) for several electoral cycles, the results of the last election signal there may be a shift in the voting patterns. This by-election will confirm whether the APM has cemented its growing support in the district or whether AUF has regained ground as a result of the populace’s dissatisfaction with the APM. Alternatively, the result could also reveal whether there is increasing disillusionment with party politics in Anguilla, and a desire for a representative free from party affiliations – with unique approaches and out of the box thinking.
At approximately 8:00 pm on 24th May 2022, the Government of Anguilla’s YouTube channel came alive to bring the results of the by-election from the Anguilla House of Assembly. Anguilla waited with baited breath as the election officials arrived and the ballot boxes rolled in. All four boxes from the four polling stations were present. The anxiety could be felt as we watched the election officials complete their final logistical and administrative arrangements before the count. They looked exhausted. However, the Returning Officer for the District still had her task to complete. Members of the public streamed in and sat in the gallery to watch in person. Candidate representatives and electoral observers were also present.
As the results of each polling station were displayed on the screen, it was clear that Mrs Shellya Rogers-Webster of the AUF was the winner by a landslide. The people of Valley North have spoken loud and clear. With 632 votes, Mrs Rogers-Webster defeated her closest opponent Mr Courtney Morton of the APM by a margin of 438 votes – what Anguillians would call a “wash out”. The margin between Mr Morton and Dr Lanny Hobson was narrow – a mere 31 votes. The shouts of jubilation, and the silence of defeat, could be seen and heard as persons streamed the proceedings live. The results are in. The AUF has regained its footing in The Valley North constituency, and another accomplished young woman has been elected to the Anguilla House of Assembly.
